Vegetarian Ideal

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.- Albert Einstein

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Meditations on contemplative living

“
A contemporary monk advised his brothers thus: “If you do not
live by principles, do not pretend to adhere to them.” And again:
“Today, when there is so little external monasticism, most monks must
live within themselves. This means that there is no brother to admonish
you or to be your example. You must admonish yourself and set an example
for yourself. All of the goals, all of the rewards, and all of the
standards have become internal. And while this may seem tragic, it is
probably merciful.
”- The Ancient Fathers
of the Desert

“
The shallow “I” of individualism can be possessed, developed,
cultivated, pandered to, satisfied: it is the center of all our
strivings for gain and satisfaction, whether material or spiritual. But
the deep “I” of the spirit, of solitude and of love, cannot be had,
possessed, developed, perfected. It can only be, and act, according to
the inner laws that are not of man’s contriving, but which come from God
… This inner “I”, who is always alone, is always universal: for in this
innermost “I” my own solitude meets the solitude of every other man and
the solitude of God.
”- Thomas Merton, Disputed
Questions207 (via Crashingly
Beautiful).

“
A young monk asked Abba Moses to give him a piece of useful
advice. “Stay in your cell and your cell will teach you,” the wise elder
answered.
”- The Ancient Fathers
of the Desert

“
At the moment that a holy elder was in the throes of death,
the devil appeared before him and shouted at him: “You destroyed me, you
wretch.” “I am still not sure of that, ” the Saint replied, and
reposed.
”- The Ancient Fathers
of the Desert

“
Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the
ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is
foolhardiness, as with the ordinary soldier. Wisdom without love and
courage is cowardice, as with the ordinary intellectual. But the one who
has love, courage and wisdom moves the world.
”- Ammon Hennacy

“
Man’s conscience is like a spring,” the Fathers say, “which,
the deeper you hollow it out, the more greatly you cleanse it. If,
however, you cover it with soil, in little time it will be lost.
”- The Ancient Fathers
of the Desert

“
Words stand between silence and silence: between the silence
of things and the silence of our own being, between the silence of the
world and the silence of God. When we have really met and known the
world in silence, words do not separate us from the world nor from other
men, nor from God, nor from ourselves because we no longer trust
entirely in language to contain reality.
”- Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

“
A novice monk sought out the advice of a certain elder of
discretion: “If the behavior of one of my brothers scandalizes me,
should I ask his forgiveness?” “Ask his forgiveness,” the elder
answered, “but cease associating with him. Have you not heard what
Arsenios the Great advises? ‘Have love for all, but be detached from
everyone.’
”- The Ancient Fathers
of the Desert

“
Love alone is enough, regardless of whether it produces
anything. It is better for love not to be especially oriented to
results, to a work to be done, a class to be taught, people to be taken
care of in the hospital, or anything like that. In the active life, love
is channeled into something that gets results. In the so-called
contemplative life, love is sufficient unto itself.
”- Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a
World of Action (257)

Subscribe To

Lao Tzu

Leaving Mankind Behind

Disclaimer

My Blogs have been like a second hard drive to me.

My Blogs have been used as a second hard drive, in case of crashes in equipment. Google is a safe place to store information collected while surfing the Web. If any content does not seem to adhere to Creative Commons Rules and you want it removed, please contact me to have it removed from the blog. Everything is true to the best of my knowledge.

This blog has no religious affiliation and seeks to record interesting or inspiring materials from many angles on the big questions, "Where do we come from? and Where do we go?" Throughout history men have attempted to give us meaningful answers to these questions in myths, legends and religions.

Thanks, for visiting this blog.

About Me

Jennifer believes we live in the garden of Eden and I believe that we are destroying it. Our saving grace is within ourselves, our faith, and our mindfulness. We need to make a conscious effort to respect and preserve all life.